Is Miss Universe in Crisis? Official Instagram Account Gone, Alleged Ownership Change, and More; What We Know So Far

The global beauty pageant community is watching closely after the official Miss Universe Instagram account, which boasted more than 7 million followers, vanished from the platform in late February 2026 with no explanation from the Miss Universe Organisation (MUO).

The apparent disappearance of related high‑profile accounts has intensified speculation about the pageant's future. This coincides with unverified ownership change rumours, legal entanglements and ongoing controversies around the Miss Universe 2025 crown.

Instagram Accounts Disappear Without Official Explanation

On 19 February 2026, pageant fans noticed that the official Miss Universe Instagram was unavailable, showing an error message instead of the usual feed. Social media observers also noted that personal accounts linked to Miss Universe 2025 titleholder Fátima Bosch and MUO president Raúl Rocha were temporarily unavailable before reappearing.

The MUO has not issued any statement clarifying whether the outages are due to platform enforcement actions, account maintenance or internal transitions, leaving organisers, fans and national directors seeking answers.

Rumours of Ownership Change Amid Conflicting Claims

Reports have circulated about possible acquisition talks for the Miss Universe pageant, adding to the uncertainty surrounding its leadership. Filipino businessman Luis 'Chavit' Singson publicly shared that he and his daughter, Richelle Singson‑Michael, were in discussions with former Miss Universe executives about taking over the MUO.

The MUO responded to these rumours with a formal statement in early January 2026, reaffirming that current ownership and leadership remain unchanged. The organisation also described the acquisition speculation as false and misleading and pledged to take legal steps against unauthorised claims.

In separate statements, Rocha criticised acquisition rumours, calling them unrealistic and dismissing the suggestion that he or his partners had relinquished ownership.

Legal and Financial Controversies Added to Tension

Legal scrutiny has contributed to the narrative of instability. The co‑owners of Miss Universe have faced increasing legal and financial challenges, including a Thai court issuing an arrest warrant for former CEO Anne Jakrajutatip as part of a fraud case.

In Mexico, federal authorities froze Rocha's bank accounts as part of an investigation into alleged trafficking and money laundering, signalling high‑level legal pressure on the organisation's leadership.

Back‑Story: Pageant Drama and Contestant Withdrawals

The controversies extend beyond administration. The Miss Universe 2025 pageant, held in Thailand, drew criticism when several contestants withdrew prior to the finale, and a former judge alleged the event's results were predetermined.

Additionally, Olivia Yacé of Côte d'Ivoire resigned her continental title, though the MUO leadership later clarified that no judge had formally resigned and denied claims of widespread dissent within the panel.

Bosch's win in 2025 also triggered scrutiny online, including unfounded allegations of bias and coordination between pageant officials and contestants.

Operational Impact: Funding and Event Preparations at Risk

Puerto Rico, host of the upcoming 75th Miss Universe pageant, halted tourism funding for the pageant, which has added another dimension to the unfolding situation. Local authorities reportedly paused the scheduled disbursement pending formal discussions with MUO leadership following the controversies, underscoring the potential impact on event planning.

Officials in Puerto Rico have already disbursed an initial portion of committed funding, but remaining payments are contingent on resolved organisational clarity, according to sources close to funding discussions.

Context: Ongoing Criticism of Miss Universe Reputation

Across social media and pageant forums, debate persists about Miss Universe's credibility, particularly following allegations of rigged outcomes and procedural irregularities in recent competitions. Industry analysts note that unresolved controversies involving leadership and perceived lack of transparency have damaged brand trust.

Despite these headwinds, MUO continues to maintain its operational schedule for upcoming pageants, and no official announcements have been made regarding alterations to future events or ownership structures.